Prouter R.A.F.

[sheldonesque]

Toughest one so far, David. As suggested by an earlier post, I have been hammering at the Air Force Lists for 1943 and 1945 (already did the full POW list), but haven't been able to marry up any appropriate candidates yet.

My feeling is that it was taken at a POW camp just from the sparse surroundings and quality.

One of the permutations I have been trying is names names ending with a "Y* (true, that flourish at the end may just be an affectation, but my gut says otherwise).

Like diplodicus, I also think we may be looking at an initial and surname, rather than just the surname.

However, I think he is a P/O - the stripe doesn't look thick enough for a F/O.

[David Layne]

I feel sure in my own mind that the name is Prouter, that's what I remember as a child.

I'm not so sure about the picture being taken in a POW camp, the subject looks too "clean" to me.

[sharki]

OK here's my two pen'orth.
Flying Officer VR. I believe the name is Prouten rather than Prouter.
Although sparse the furnishings appear too good for POW situation. Well made chair, rounded edge of the table, and possibly a radio just beyond his right shoulder, also what may well be his side cap with polished badge next to it. His top button appears also to be polished. He may well be in "best blue", note the well pressed lapel on the jacket and the overall smartness of his appearance. I would suggest that this man may be an instructor at an OTU etc.
The scratchings on the walls behind him are reminiscent of the graffiti often seen in temporary buildings of wartime bases.
I could be well wide of the remark of course but, the more I study the photo, the more detail there seems to be, leading me to the opinion I've set out above.
Unfortunately this does not get us any nearer to identifying this man....or does it?

[diplodicus]

P Boulter?

No decorations or campaign ribbons?

The thick plottens!

[sharki]

Your observation Diplodicus, on the abscence of medal ribbons is what lead me to suggest that our man might be an instructor at an OTU. Not all aircrew instructors were operational types who had been "screened". Some were, early in their flying careers, selected to be instructors and several,despite all their efforts, were not able to persuade the powers that be to post them to operational flying.

[David Layne]

If he had just arrived as a student at an OTU he wouldn't have medal ribbons would he?

He appears to be holding a fountain pen.  Fountain pens and nibs were not allowed to be sent to POW's in next of kin parcels.

[sheldonesque]

He appears to be holding a fountain pen.  Fountain pens and nibs were not allowed to be sent to POW's in next of kin parcels.

?

I have seen several mentions of POWs using fountain pens, including complaining about ones stolen etc or used to barter. MI19 even hid escape material in fountain pens sent out to the camps.

Examples of fountain pen escape material:

http://www.compassmuseum.com/esc/esc.htm

[David Layne]

That's interesting sheldonesque and seems just the opposite to this which is posted on the I.W.M. website.

[sheldonesque]

That particular notice is specifically for family packages. The BRCC and various other charities had more latitude as to what they could send. For example, we know that POWs received cigarettes, despite that notice saying it was prohibited to be sent by family. Another restriction on families was the sending of books, but organisations like YMCA sent out thousands. Even universities sent of course materials and books for degree courses.

MI9 didn't actually send their escape material through the RC. Instead they used fictitious charities.

So fountain pens were very much in evidence in POW camps (not that I am insisting that the above picture was taken in POW camp ).

But I must admit my mistake....when i replied to you earlier, I failed to pick up the fact that you had  specifically said next-of-kin parcels. I read it just as POW parcels in general. My error. Sorry.